Hayley Peppin on Finding Stillness in Transit
Hayley Peppin
Freelance Writer & Editor
Hayley writes with the sensual observation of someone who truly notices the world. The Australian-born writer, formerly Digital Content Manager for Harper's BAZAAR Australia and Esquire Australia, now creates from London while contributing to publications including Air Mail and Business Insider.
Self-described as "a romantic at heart, bon vivant by habit," Hayley has spent six years living out of suitcases, chasing cities, energies, and opportunities guided by curiosity rather than certainty. Paris? New York? Melbourne? She embraces the beautiful uncertainty of not having a predetermined path, understanding that we're all travellers with unique itineraries.
Unlike many who find solace in elaborate routines, Hayley approaches self-care with refreshing irreverence - no twelve-step programs, no rigid structures. This poses a beautiful question: what does restoration look like for someone who finds freedom in the absence of ritual? Her answer lies in small, intentional acts: reading in the morning to clear her mind, savouring solo peaceful moments with coffee and pastries to pause and reset, or a quiet Friday night in, complete with Negroni's and candlelight - all deliberate choices to decompress from the world on her own terms.
What emerges in our conversation is a woman who has learned to hold the weight of uncertainty with grace, finding anchors not in places but in practices. Here, she shares how she creates home between time zones, why solitude is essential fuel for connection, and what it means to trust the journey when the destination remains beautifully unknown.
Where are we finding you today as you reflect on these questions?
Cocooning in my teeny tiny London bedroom, writing from my desk. I've rugged up in a hodgepodge of snug layers - the weather’s gone from pleasantly autumnal to eye-rollingly arctic in just over a week.
Earlier today, I grabbed some last-minute Halloween props for tomorrow’s bash - I’m dressing up as Tippi Hedren in The Birds via thrifted pieces - and enjoyed some creamy scrambled eggs and avo toast from Granger & Co. because I fear I could be getting sick. Pollyannaish of me, but a little taste of home always helps cure, or at least, repress, most ailments.
A LIFE IN MOTION
Your writing pulses with movement - from Sydney to London, across Europe and back again. When you're perpetually in motion, both geographically and professionally, how do you cultivate moments of stillness? What portable practices ground you regardless of where you land?
I joke that I’ve been living out of a suitcase for six years. Being a Sagittarius might be partly to blame, if you’re into that sort of thing, but my overactive imagination spins constantly - conjuring future lives, dreams, and non-linear goals. (Paris? New York? I do love the hustle, but I also love London. And the stillness of Australia. I think I want to settle in Melbourne?) I try to find peace in the little things.
Exercise is non-negotiable. Whether it’s an at-home workout or class, light stretching in a hotel, or exploring a city by foot, moving my body grounds me. As does some “floor time.” I try to get horizontal on a (clean) floor almost everyday, to release tension, feel my heart, notice my breath - rather than the vibrations of my phone. When I’m on the floor, my phone’s purposefully out of reach. Even just a few minutes resets me, making looming deadlines or unreturned emails feel far less urgent.
I’m also partial to a solo outing. Sometimes a girl needs a little coffee, pain au chocolat, and a few chapters of a book to feel something. I bring my novel everywhere (pub included if I fancy a wine en solitude), and often find I’m most motivated to read in public. People-watching between sips and bites is the perfect antidote to endless scrolling, remote working - and the best inspiration for a digital native writer.
NAVIGATING DOUBT
You've written candidly about the isolating stretches of freelancing where self-doubt creeps in. When those waves of uncertainty crash - especially during the silent hours - what brings you back to centre? How do you restore confidence in your craft and worth?
Freelancing can be incredibly isolating. It’s a solitary job, and calling your family for a “therapy session” isn’t always an option with the time difference. I remind myself that moments of self doubt and distress come in ebbs and flows - whatever your career. No one’s happy all of the time, and speed bumps come and go, especially in media. I know many in full-time roles wishing they could switch careers, cut back - or just feel lost. We always crave what we don’t have and, honestly, I chose to move around so much precisely so things wouldn’t get monotonous.
Perspective matters - sometimes it’s them, not you. Introspection, journaling, or a little TLC can help reset you. I try to consider my passions outside of work: rejection feels less personal, less like a slap in the face, when I remember who I am beyond my job. But I also avoid bottling things up to prevent future implosions. I’m lucky to have supportive friends in London willing to throw me a life boat - hearing me naysaying until the cows come home - and offering work/life perspectives.
I also try to recognise my journey and celebrate small wins. Got a commission from that dream publication? Heck yes, I’m messaging the girls for a wine. Having hype-girl witnesses throughout the struggles and successes makes a lonely career not just bearable, but joyful.
IN TRANSIT
In your recent piece on approaching 30 while single, you describe "holding the weight of your feelings across numerous suitcases." How do you create a sense of home and rest when everything feels transient or temporary? What serves as your anchor in this season of beautiful uncertainty?
I try to remember we’re all travellers with unique itineraries. Some, like my friends and friends-of-friends, have booked the adulting jet - landing on first house, engagement, wedding, and baby destinations - each a major emotional and financial investment. Others swing between hostels and hotels - ticking off milestones while taking life slowly and youthfully. Then there’s people like me who don’t really have a long-term plan, chasing whatever moves us - a city, an energy, a job - if the purse is full enough.
When social comparison strikes, I get offline and go for long walks. I read. I listen to music. I clean my room. I turn to my physical diary to organise short-term goals, mark special occasions, or plan potential travel. I write, sometimes burning the midnight oil when inspiration strikes mid-rut. I recognise my privilege: a family who loves and supports me, and my mum, my biggest champion, as my core anchor. Even if I can’t chat with her immediately, she always strikes the perfect balance of love and pragmatism … nine hours later when she wakes up.
THE NON-NEGOTIABLES
What are your non-negotiables for maintaining calm through the uncertainty of freelance life and constant travel? What must remain consistent regardless of external circumstances?
I’m a big believer in balancing stillness and socialising. When I’m on mute mode, I know it’s time to recharge - and stay in. I’m never my best, most bubbly, or most interesting self when I’m running on empty. Extroverted introverts will know what I mean. Staying in to binge Gossip Girl or re-watch Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette for the hundredth time while wearing a hydrating face mask (my current situation) isn’t wasting time - it’s making time, cooking time, for future good times.
That said, I try to throw caution to the wind and push myself to get out in the wild. Hunkering down for days on end - scrolling through social media and feeling the ache of someone else’s new job or relationship status - never really helps. I try to keep an active social life, and get excited for catch-ups, even if it’s just a coffee walk. And if friends aren’t around, I’ll take myself out on a solo date - laptop in tow or or simply for a cheeky wine and fries craving - because life’s too short to stay in when you’re keen to get out.
YOUR ANCHORS
Your Sunday ritual of flowers and pastries sounds like a beautiful form of self-care. What other practices have become your anchors?
I often stay in on a Friday night - it’s an energy conservation thing - but I always try to treat myself. By that I mean, pour myself a glass of wine and grab a bowl of crisps (if I’m feeling inspired, I might make a Negroni or another cocktail) for weekend knock-offs. I like to create a whole “happy hour” mood: light some candles, get out some nice tableware and glasses, swipe on some lipstick (low maintenance grooming helps), and hit the decks - as in, turn on my Sonos 2 Move and, ambiently, blast my “Summer ‘25” Spotify playlist (self-nom, but it’s pretty vibey if I do say so).
It’s meditative to pleasure yourself when you’re single… and freelance. You don’t have to wait for anyone, there’s no quarrelling about music choices - you can simply enjoy your little (or big) drink and snack plate in peace. And I’m all about protecting one’s peace.
As a freelancer, I sometimes feel jet lagged - sure, in the literal sense, but also metaphorically - when my routine chops and changes or I hit a slump. Paradoxically, too much time on your hands can be extremely tiring (hello, procrastination and existential crises!). Creating a little end-of-week ritual adds some structure to both the shifts and stillness.
Away from that, I always start my work day with a book following a short walk. I try to read a few chapters in the morning - I hardly ever read in the evening - to kickstart the word flow, bring a sense of clarity. When I don’t read, I get this fuzzy, sticky feeling - like I’ve run out the door without brushing my teeth.
PALME SETOF CHOICE
What was your PALME set of choice and why?
It was a tricky choice, but I settled on the effortlessly sumptuous, crisp and creamy Ralph Set. Practical yet chic - the girly camisole and sporty box shorts are just as breathable during hot summer nights as they are appropriate for beach or brunch days. Worn together or separately, they embody the sleepwear-as-daywear trend without ever feeling forced. Timeless designs, responsibly produced.
I’ll wear the shorts with a bikini top and thongs while visiting my local beach, Half Moon Bay; or throw on a t-shirt and trainers or ballet flats when heading to the South Melbourne Market. The cami, I’ll wear sans bra (as per usual), pairing with baggy white jeans, capris or a red vintage frilled skirt from Copenhagen.
Wearability is everything for me. I always consider practicality across seasons, times of day, occasion, and wardrobe integration. But you can be sure I won’t be stepping out in either piece straight from bed.
WHAT’S NEXT
What's on the horizon for you - any projects or places calling to you as we start the new year?
I came back home to Melbourne in December for another glorious Australian summer. I couldn’t wait to cuddle my family dachshund, Remy, go on beach runs and afternoon swims (my parents live in Bayside), and temporarily share “happy hour” duties with my mum while staying with my parents. I’m the bartender, she’s the cook. I hope to join the local tennis club (I was in the A-level team at school), eat and coffee my way through Melbourne, and share a dance and giggle with friends I haven’t seen in ages - all while celebrating my 29th birthday on December 20 (a Saturday this year, yippee!), and a close friend’s wedding in Sydney in February.
There will be lots of Sydney trips this summer - for work and for play - plus possible press trips to Bali and Thailand for new resort openings. I’m also hoping to go to the Australian Open again, and the Grand Prix in March - before plotting my next move. Do I head back to London? Try a Parisian stint? Give New York a go? This slow summer is all about recalibrating - and considering new risks. Though, with a possible press trip to Greece in May… perhaps I leave it all to chance.
TO MY YOUNGER SELF
Finally, as someone navigating both professional evolution and personal growth with such grace and honesty, what would you tell the young journalist who once played red carpet interviewer at eight years old?
Firstly, thank you for the kind words! I’ve always tried to be a “what you see is what you get” kinda person, no veil, no front - so it’s lovely to hear that comes through in my writing.
I’d tell that wide-eyed daydreamer that life has a way of surprising you. There’ll be pinch-me work opportunities, major life moves, and those you-can’t-make-this-up encounters - but also some pretty painful pills to swallow. You’ll be disappointed, let down, and realise we’re all hamsters on the wheel. Everyone’s position is replaceable. But you know what isn’t? Time - and you.
Figure out who you are, when you're not at a day job (I’m still on that journey), because life will keep re-routing you - and that’s what keeps things interesting. Embrace the change, count your change (yes, I’m talking about money - because it’s hard to conquer anything when you’re short on bus fare), and find consistency elsewhere: in your friendships, your values, in how you show up.
Keep the work group chats alive - those ex-colleagues might steer you towards a new opportunity, hire you, or at the least, make you laugh with in-house gossip (it’s healthy!). Stay kind to people who’ve drifted from your orbit, and stay gracious during rejections. And always throw the rope to those treading water - whether it’s offering your network or an extra set of eyes - because you never know when you’ll need a hand yourself.
Have great friends outside of work who don’t give a shit about your 9 - 5 - but care enough to listen when you need to vent. Don’t take your parents for granted. They’re only here for a short while. Listen to their advice, question it, and feel uplifted by their support. They’ve backed you since your early “self-publishing” days (school kid stories), and will always offer a roof when it’s time to regroup.
Sometimes it takes a surprise to discover the prize (sorry, that was a cheesy rhyme). You’ll move on and up, whichever way the pendulum swings - and if nothing else, well, it’ll make a damn good story. You’re a writer, remember? You’ll find the words.
THE NOTES
Hayley has mastered something many of us struggle with - finding beauty in the unknown. Her willingness to chase cities and opportunities without a predetermined plan feels both brave and necessary in our over-scheduled world. What strikes me most is how she's created her own definition of home and ritual, proving that rest doesn't require elaborate routines - sometimes it just requires permission to pour yourself a Negroni and light some candles. In a culture that often pathologizes being alone, Hayley celebrates solitude as restoration, and how repairing it can be when we turn the noise off for a little bit.
I also highly recommend her Summer25 playlist - it’s got the goods.
If you love Hayley's writing, I highly suggest following and subscribing to her substack, Pepp Talk.